Links from the Times for Jan. 7, 2009

At 103rd Epiphany, a family’s momentPantelis J. “Pete” Kontodiakos, 17, became the fifth member of his family to find the cross during the celebration in Tarpon Springs. “It’s unbelievable, the best feeling of my life,” he says.

New drug control measures expectedThere is more optimism that the Legislature will pass a law mandating a massive database of narcotic drug users, which would help combat doctor shopping, pill mills, etc. | Special report:Deadly Combinations (February 2008)

Another charge for J.J. RevearIn 1995, Walter "J.J." Revear gained notoriety as Hillsborough County's youngest jail inmate, 12 years old, charged as an adult but barely able to see out of the jury box at court hearings. Well, he has been arrested again, this time for burglary. Here are some of the earlier stories about J.J.:

House Speaker Sansom arranges meeting on airport hangarJan 7: Just days after the Times published a story raising questions about House Speaker Ray Sansom's involvement in a $6-million deal for an airport hangar, Sansom arranged a meeting of local emergency officials in Destin to talk about how the building would be used. The meeting was never publicized and was not recorded. Here are some earlier stories about Sansom and the airport hangar deal:

Buddy Johnson's latest troublesOn Dec. 16, departing Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson asked the Hillsborough County Commission for $2.3-million to cover "unanticipated expenses'' for the election, costs he blames largely on the transition to new voting machines. He subsequently withdrew his request. On Monday, an audit of Johnson's spending raised new questions. But it was only the latest in a long line of difficulties Johnson has faced. | Special report:Buddy Johnson's troubles